B. J. Gallagher - Its Never Too Late to Be What You Might Have Been: A Guide to Getting the Life You Love

Praise for Its Never Too Late to Be What You Might Have Been

I found myself smiling and nodding in agreement as I read, because I identify with so many of the great stories of people reinventing themselves. I know from my own personal experience that we can all make powerful, positive changes in our livesat any age!

Mac Anderson, founder of Successories and Simple Truths

Its never too late to be what you might have been. My own life is a testament to its truththus far Ive been an entrepreneur, a mom, a wife, an author and keynote speaker, and a merchandising maven. Who knows how many more roles Ill take on in the second half of my life?

Lisa Hammond, founder of the Femail Creations catalog

BJs unquenchable and witty optimism convinces readers that not only can they CHASE and CATCH their dreams, but they can get in shape while doing the chasing.

Mary Anne Radmacher, author of She and Lean Forward into Your Life

This book will remind you that it is never too late to love, create, prosper, or even regain your childhood. Take heed of these encouraging words, follow your passion, and share yourself with the world. You will have much more fun.

Allen Klein, professional speaker and author of Always Look on the Bright Side

Reading BJ Gallaghers book is like getting a pep talk from a friend who wholeheartedly believes in you.

Judy Ford, author of Every Day Love

There are so many reasons we give up on our dreams and allow our heartsongs to be silenced, but BJ Gallagher reminds us that time is on our side. This book is filled with inspiring stories and tried and true tips to put us on the path of living our dreams today. Allow this book to inspire you to say a resounding YES to your dreams.

Susyn Reeve, author of The Inspired Life

We all know people that believe that their dreams are out of reach or that time is no longer on their side to achieve them. To that I say, Nonsense! Its Never Too Late to Be What You Might Have Been is the perfect guide for any person on this planet to believe and achieve whatever is in their heart. Its a must-read for all.

David Mezzapelle, author of the bestselling book Contagious Optimism

Its never too late to dream, create, love. BJ Gallagher shows us all what it looks like when we grow into our true selves. This insightful, inspiring book reminds us that we are multi-dimensional, empowered beings who can dream at any age and make good on those dreams.

Polly Campbell, author of Imperfect Spirituality

Gallagher gives readers the motivation they need to start a new chapter in their lives. Its never too late to find true love, go back to school, start a new career, become athletic, live your dream.

Megan K. Scott, Associated Press

BJ Gallagher is a writer I gratefully turn to when I need a fresh perspective. Its Never Too Late to Be What You Might Have Been offers encouragement about how the second part of life can be the far better half. So true!

Nina Lesowitz, coauthor of Living Life as a Thank You

Copyright 2009, 2014 by BJ Gallagher.

All rights reserved. Except for brief passages quoted in newspaper, magazine, radio, television, or online reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording, or by information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Published in the United States by Viva Editions, an imprint of Cleis Press, Inc.,

2246 Sixth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710.

Cover design: Scott Idleman/Blink

Text design: Frank Wiedemann

Second Edition.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

E-book ISBN: 978-1-936740-076-5

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Gallagher, B.J. (Barbara J.), 1949-

Its never too late to become what you might have been / BJ Gallagher.

pages cm

First published in 2009.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

1. Career changes. 2. Quality of life. 3. Happiness. I. Title.

HF5384.G353 2014

650.1--dc23

2013042100

CONTENTS

by Richard Nelson Bolles

ITS NEVER TOO LATE TO

For Sam Beasley

My wise coach,

My generous friend,

My practical go-to guy,

And my beloved teacher

All of us are walking stories. In ancient days, we would have told our stories at night, around flickering campfires, just outside our caves or tents. Now we tell them on the pages of books, read in bright sunshine.

Sometimes others tell our story for usas BJ does in this book, unfolding each persons story in a lovely way. BJ is a good interviewer and a smart interviewer, too.

Why do we love to hear other peoples stories? Well, loneliness, for one. We like to be reassured that what weve been going through is part of the human experiencenormal, natural, shared by thousands, if not millions of others. We see ourselves in others stories. And the lonely feel embraced.

Inspiration, for another. We learn from others stories. They have lessons to teach us. They manifest courage to inspire us. Others stories are the cheerleaders in our life. They cry: Dont give up! They cry: See how crooked was the path by which I reached my dreams? Dont despair if yours is not the straight path to your destination, that you had hoped and dreamed it would be. You will get there. See! I did.

Storytelling. What a lovely thing that is. And yet, what a strange thing. Some stories fail to cheer us when we need cheering. As we read them, we hear the thought, unspoken but loud, in our minds: Yes, butYes, but

I see what he or she was able to do, yes, butthey had this or that, that I dont have. So, their story can never be my story.

There is no denying that the storytellers in these pages do have this or that you dont have. But, good news: you have that or this that they dont have. We all have gifts. And we all have mental blindnessto our own gifts. We see others, but not our own. At least in the beginning.

Once, around the ancient flickering fires, it was the blind who gathered to share their stories of how their mental blindnessto their own giftswas lifted. Now, on the pages of this book, youll find more stories of the blind, and how they found sight. They illustrate the authors fundamental truth: its never too late to be what you might have been. Its never too late to sing Amazing Grace in your own life about your own gifts: I once was blind, but now I see.

Dick Bolles

Author of What Color Is Your Parachute? 2014

Reconceived annually

10,000,000 copies sold

Mary Ann Evans really lived the words she wrote. Living in Victorian England in the mid-1800s, she wrote under a male pen name, George Eliot, because she wanted her work to be taken seriously. At the time, women could publish freely under their own names, but they were seen merely as writers of silly romances. Mary Ann wanted her skill and talent to be recognized, so she did what she needed to do to fulfill her ambition as a serious novelist.

It wasnt too late for her, and its not too late for you, either.

What are your passions and talents?

Do you have gifts to share with the world?

Have you ever given up a dream in order to be more practical in making a living?

Do you long to pick up that dream again?

Do you worry that perhaps its too late to become who you might have been?

I wrote this book to help you answer these questions. You only go around once in this life, so why not live a life you love? Start now. Live now. Love now. Laugh now. Give full expression to who you really are. Go for that deferred dreamwhether its a new career, a new love, a new sport, or making yourself wealthy.